The Past, Progress and The Playoffs (Warriors 105, Wolves 89)

Oscar Wilde once observed that “Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation.” Or a basketball team. When you pull back from the game-to-game ups and downs of the 2012-13 Warriors, what separates them from the failed teams before them is their distaste for losing. After nearly two decades of teams that, more often than not, were happy losers — guileless victims of whatever unfortunate circumstances were available — the Warriors finally quit making excuses and started winning basketball games. From the ownership to the end of the bench, the improvement we’ve witnessed this year is the product of purposeful, critical, collaborative work. They’re far from a perfect team, but they’re a whole lot closer than past incarnations to the basketball team Warriors fans deserve.

The Warriors had to wait a game for the confetti to drop, but Tuesday’s 105-89 thumping of the Timberwolves was the type of crossover moment you hope to achieve. All the key players nailed their roles. The step into the playoffs was a firm stride, not a stumble. There are tougher games ahead and the very real risk of slipping into the seventh spot (and with it an almost certain first round defeat). But those are problems for Wednesday morning. For Tuesday night, most Warriors players were celebrating not a return to the playoffs, but their first arrival.

If you were to sketch out an ideal Warriors’ win, it would look a lot like this one. They were dominant from the outside, with Curry and Thompson each having blistering hot runs and overall connecting on 8 of 19 threes. They owned the paint, with Bogut and Lee leading the team to a crushing 60-44 rebound advantage and largely preventing any Wolves’ post offense. They were focused at both ends — unselfish on offense and aggressive on defense. When the momentum swung their way in the third quarter, the Warriors’ starters didn’t hesitate to deliver a knockout blow. Everyone in the rotation found some way to contribute, whether it was Barnes aggressively hitting the glass or Ezeli keeping balls alive with physical play. Mark Jackson deserves credit for the change in energy between the first and second halves — motivating the team to shake off lethargic play and finally look ready to seize a playoff spot. He avoided any disastrous runs by the Wolves and smartly stole whatever extra minutes of rest he could find for his starters at the end of the game. Sunday’s loss to Utah was a reminder of how the Warriors look when things fall apart. This win showed how impressive the Warriors can look when the key components of their game come together at the right time.

Mark Jackson went eight deep. I’ll do the same.

David Lee — You won’t see it in the stat line, but no Warrior has elevated his all-around game more during this final stretch of playoff push games than David Lee. He’s noticeably working hard and playing smarter on defense. He’s hyper efficient on offense, rarely taking a bad shot. His board work has been dominant and the ball continues to hum through his hands in the halfcourt. He looks as focused out there as I’ve ever seen him. Jackson notably used Landry as a sub for Lee — rather than play the two together — allowing Lee an extended rest across the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter. It seemed to pay off with Lee’s active third quarter. After all the questions raised about whether he has what it takes to lead a team to the playoffs, his success this year, both personally and with his teammates, must be immensely satisfying. But while he’s tossed a heavy monkey from his back with the playoff-clinching win, there’s still plenty left to prove. The Warriors have eased up in the past after strong runs and big wins. It’ll be up to Lee and the other veterans to keep this team focused heading into the crucial final four games.

Klay Thompson — The other Warrior to show up Tuesday with an extra bit of grit in his game was Thompson. His first half offensive performance was largely the result of out-working the Wolves’ defense. He was quicker off picks, smarter in spacing and more aggressive going to the rim. The Wolves finally brought a double team, which cooled off Thompson but opened up the rest of the Warriors’ offense. At its best, the Warriors offense is an exercise in picking your poison. Smother Curry, you leave Thompson free. Double Thompson with a bigger man, suddenly Barnes and Lee are open. Clog the middle to stop interior passing, Curry and Jack will have wide open looks all night long. Beyond the offense, Thompson’s energy was exactly what the Warriors needed. He was everywhere on defense — his steal and clear-path-foul-drawing break was a momentum swing, as was his drawing of a frustration technical from Ridnour. This is what playoff basketball looks like: technically sound, physically bruising. After all the doubts this season over his assertiveness and consistency, Thompson actually looks more playoff-ready than most of the Warriors.

Stephen Curry — If Lee was the rock-solid foundation to the Warriors’ attack and Thompson was the early shot of energy to keep them in the game, then Curry was the orchestrator of the surge that put them over the top. His third quarter was the type of dominant offensive performance we’ve come to take for granted — 13 points on a super efficient 4-6 from the field and 4-5 from the line, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers. You could see his desire early in the game to get something going. He forced a few shots in the first half, but finally settled into the flow in the third quarter. Once he eased up just a little bit, everything came easily to him. The ball noticeably stayed in his hands during the third quarter run. His teammates helped draw defensive attention away from him, but as targets of Curry’s passes rather than the ones passing to Curry. I expect there to be some bumps on Curry’s first trip to the playoffs. He’s shown big-game potential back from his Davidson days, but a seven game series against one of the best teams in the NBA is a different beast. He may try to do too much or may not be ready for how thoroughly his strengths and weaknesses will have been picked apart by the opponent. That said, I expect him to rise to the occasion — as he did Tuesday night, and has done all season on the way to making “the leap” to the next level of NBA talent.

Andrew Bogut — There are no statistics for the number of pushes and shoves Bogut delivered to Pekovic to keep him off his game. The closest proxy is the points scored by the Wolves’ bruising center — only 5, after games of 20, 24, 27, 29 and 22 over the previous 5 outings. It was beyond encouraging to see Bogut deliver so decisively in a game when his presence was desperately needed. Thanks to his inside presence, the Warriors left a bad jump-shooting team with nothing but jump shots. The playoffs will be bigger, tougher and slower than the regular season — and Bogut will be more important. By making the playoffs, the Warriors largely vindicated the risk they took in trading for Bogut. Here’s hoping we’ve only begun to see the true returns from that deal with performances like this one.

Harrison Barnes — Barnes rounded out the starting five in the truest sense. He filled in the cracks of the team’s performance — providing help on the boards, filling the lane, sneaking along the baseline of the weakside for an easy oop as the Wolves’ defense collapsed. Particularly encouraging was how he scored in a variety of ways, some off shots created for him and others created entirely on his own. Any final steps the Warriors can take in these games to raise Barnes’ confidence and assertiveness could be crucial to his playoff role. Jackson gave him a decently long run Tuesday (26 minutes). If he can continue his smart, complementary play, he should earn more.

Festus Ezeli — Unlike Barnes, assertiveness is the least of Ezeli’s concerns. The other Warriors rookie has become a dependable source of energy and chaos whenever he checks into the game. He’s making a living fighting for offensive rebounds, throwing his body around and showing wise-beyond-his-years defensive instincts on the block. He earned his highest minute count in nearly a month with 15 total (only 5 of them were true garbage minutes at the end). He made the most of the time, grabbing an impressive 8 rebounds during the stretch. Like Bogut, Ezeli’s importance will only increase in the post-season. His consistent solid play comes at an ideal time.

Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry — With the exception of Jefferson, who is largely out of the rotation, Jack and Landry are the only Warriors with meaningful playoff experience. While Curry and Lee are rightfully excited to be making their first appearances, it’s the veterans who fully understand how tough the coming games will be. The Warriors didn’t get big performances from either player on Tuesday, but they didn’t need them. Jack and Landry are on this roster to be fail-safes, not first options. If the offense breaks down, the duo hopefully will be there to help jump start it — as they have several times this season. But on nights when the other Warriors are hot, their job involves simply tending the fires — clearing the glass, making the pass, getting the stop. Not glamorous roles, but essential parts of any winning playoff mix.

Finally, making the playoffs is an accomplishment for the entire Warriors’ organization, not just the players. I’ll write more on how it happened in the coming days. But without the long-overdue sale by Chris Cohan, the much-needed influx of Jerry West’s wise experience and Bob Myers’ young energy, the negativity-purging newness of Mark Jackson’s coaching approach and the over-the-top ambition of Joe Lacob, the Warriors easily could have been making another trip to the lottery. Playoff teams don’t just happen. The Warriors proved that in 17 of the past 19 years by managing not to field one. Playoff teams are the product of strategy, risk, discipline and tons of hard work. It’s no accident that the Warriors are back in the playoffs. It’s progress.

Adam Lauridsen

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I know you are tongue in cheek and you know I’ve been saying all along we’ve a puncher’s chance. Even against OKC. Your odds sound about right. I just don’t want to see the bipolar doom and gloom frenzy that is likely to ensue if we get knocked out easily in the 1st round, complete with demands for Preacher Jackson’s defenestration. I know your name is believe, but no matter how much I believe, I am not likely to prevail in a game of horse with Steph Curry 🙂

This team is built for the long haul, and I do not think making the playoffs will be the high water mark of the Curry/Lee era here…

JanG

ET,

Hey, we’ve got the best shooter in the league, the best fans, the best 6th man, the best double-double player, and the best ex-owner. What more could you want?

Steve

High dribble dribble @30, I pretty much agree with your post. Count me as one poor soul who actually wouldn’t mind facing SA in round one (and I do believe history is on our side when it comes to playing the Spurs in a first round series, the Dubs last playoff series win before Dallas was vs SA in the 1990-91 season).

I’m trying to look at these playoffs from the perspective of having a serviceable Andrew Bogut. Which team would render Bogut the least effective? My answer, given the likely extreme uptempo pace of each game, would be Denver. The fast pace would likely lessen Bogut’s impact and their insane home court edge is something I doubt the Warriors could overcome.

I also don’t want to play the Clippers for the simple reason that, given the circumstances, I don’t believe the Warriors can beat LAC 7 times in one season.

That leaves the Grizz, Spurs and Thunder, all teams that Bogut would figure strongly in any game plan, from both sides.

The Warriors are going to be sizeable underdogs regardless of the matchup and they’ll have to play “over their heads” IMO to win. But that’s what makes sports and playoff competition so exciting and why I can’t wait to see how the Warriors perform under those bright lights.

coltraning

@ET

right on description of the Ws rise. 14-15 sounds about right to contend for the title, assuming continued growth from Barnes/Klay and health from Curry/Lee plus a nice pick up along the way.

Only changes I would make to your West list is that I do not buy that Houston will be in the mix absent an upgrade. They too overachieved and have less talent than we do. I also would expect Minny to be back in the mix with a healthy Love and one more shooter…Rubio, Love, Pekovic are a nice core…

NCDub

#49–ET:

Really like your “we belong”–makes me happy with what I’m thinking; It’ll get better in the next two years & then teams will really not want to not to face us 🙂 Remember…it’s a marathon not a sprint…& whe’er are running really well.

For now…let’s scrap to be 2nd.-rounders!!!!!

Zume

Go Team, Go FB bloggers, Adam and Chris! If it wasn’t for our input, where would the team be, probably in the same place – smile! Stay humble, my friend.

coltraning

Nice analysis, Steve. I believe the Ws have the most talented players 1-6, but denver is 11 deep, probably the only team in the league that can say that. I do understand Denver is depleted, but I would add that Karl will outcoach Jackson, so in a tight series that could make a difference. Bogut may have trouble staying on the court against the Denver speed. No shame there, btw, Karl is a HOF level coach with well over a 1000 wins under his belt. Jackson is just completing his first full season, and they deliberately tanked the last 1/2 of last season.

BTW, the Ws are something like 14-2 against non-playoff teams in 2013 now, the only losses being in Philly and the recent loss to the Kings. I think that make them 10-21 against playoff teams in 2013. My math could be off by a game or so, but there you have it.

They will finish with 46 or 47 wins it appears, based on that form, so likely slide to 7. The X factor is that both OKC and SA are home games, where they have beaten both teams already this year, and as with the Jazz against us, the Ws have more motivation than do OKC or SA. So long as the Lakers are in the hunt for #8, I am firmly of the belief that neither OKC nor SA will want to see them…

high dribble dribble

what’s funny is that no teams are rooting for the Lakers some may not want to play them and others just want the Lakers to be out

8th spot could come down to last game of the season with Utah at Memphis – assuming Memphis doesn’t need the win for home court, I have a hard time seeing Memphis playing their starters extended minutes

I think the Lakers need to win all their games to get in. Portland tonight and both the Ws and San Antonio will all want to knock the Lakers out.

hdd
Playoffs for Ws are a great start but wouldn’t it be fun if in a few years the Ws become the kind of team everyone else wants to be out! Among the less obvious but important thingsI am grateful for is that the compensation for the loss of BRush for a whole season is tha Barnes and KT have become far better defender than they would have been had BR been available. Some could likely be said re Bogut and Ezeli. Nice to recognize opportunity gains in the face of loss. Now lets see howmany more games Ws can win this season.

monsta

The Lakers’ chances may come down to how well the Warriors play them. Utah only has 3 games left, 2 against the Wolves, LA has 4 games, including games against the Spurs, Rockets and Warriors.

I love the idea of the Warriors effectively ousting LA from the playoffs.

believewhat

hdd,

OKC had a chance to knock Lakers out yesterday, they had to lose to Jazz but they won. Anyway, I don’t like the wins and losses to be staged would rather want the teams make or not make playoffs by merit. The point is, I don’t think OKC or Spurs are worried about playing Lakers in 1st rd since their goal is not 1st rd win but championship.

believewhat

Myers, forward thinking,.

“Myers is certainly right about That One Player — LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, et al — being able to create a seismic franchise shift. Basketball is subject to That One Player variance factor more than any other sport because roster sizes are smaller and That One Player can have an immense impact.

Some might say the Warriors already have That One Player in the person of Stephen Curry. Meyer certainly hopes so, but he recognizes that Curry has more development to do. Regardless, the ideal scenario is for Curry and a few other core Warriors to stick around and be ready. Next season, the Warriors’ flexibility will still be limited because of salary cap issues. But in the summer of 2014, the franchise should be in position to make a run at That One Player — perhaps in a free agent sweepstakes.

“We want to have a seat at that table,” Myers said. “It’s sort of like the party’s been going on, and we’re not getting an invitation to the table. We want to be in position to not just get that invitation but be able to make our presentation at the party.””

monsta

Not exactly sure where I am.

I find myself rooting for a team I knew would be good this year, which will be good for years to come, which didn’t sneak into the last playoff spot but clinched with a week to go in the season.

No talk about the lottery. No wishes and horses and what-ifs. Just solid basketball. Defense. Making the extra pass.

All the things the Warriors always hope to do at the start of the year, but that they drop like extra weights off their belt during the season and float away to the 9th or 10th spot in the West.

New feeling. Unfamiliar territory. I’m liking it.

monsta

btw, I really like how Brandon Rush is included in the montage video the Warriors show before every game, the Warrior ground thing.

“To me, (the trade) was vindicated from Day 1. The trade was a fantastic trade. We had to get bigger. We had to get tougher. We had to get stronger. We had to do all those things. There’s still things we need to do, but yeah, we’re a better team because of that trade.”

Does anyone know who the Warriors’ big men coach is? I think Ezeli has really grown defensively this year, but his offensive game needs work, and lots of it. Most times when he grabs a offensive rebound, his first reaction is to pass the ball out of the paint, when he is two feet from the basket.

Secondly when he starts his offensive move, he brings the ball down to the floor, does a little crab dribble (allowing the other teams bigs to gather themselves) and then proceeds to get his shot blocked most times.

I’m greedy I want more than just making the playoffs, we are by and far considered a jump shooting team, and jump shooting teams usually die by the jump shot. Lee is practically our only inside threat, and the other top teams will adjust to only having one interior scorer.

We need post up threats, we have good players, but we need to be more than a jump shooting team, to go further in the playoffs. It’s a start this year, I hope we can continue to grow, and become a double-headed scoring threat, inside and out.

Dubcakes

Thanks Adam for a great post/analysis.

Congratulations to our Dubs for coming back in the third quarter & getting a hugh win to mark an “X” next to their name. I agree with Coach Jackson statement to the team: “don’t you dare go to the baggage claim because this is just a layover.” The best attitude/perception that the team must have is that whoever they will face (six, seventh, or eighth seed) in the first round playoffs, they should keep the same focus and ravenousness as they have shown throughout the season. My biggest concern is HEALTH & INJURIES, so let’s hope that they stay healthy & don’t get injured.

This was the perfect game for Klay to come back to true form and regain his confidence that alluded him. This is the redemption game he needed.

Off the beaten track, I like to repost my previous thread from yesterday.

#1 Short brief video. I like to share this great short video with everyone especially for those who do not live in SF (Zume, Knick, etera). We are fortunate to live in SF and have this incredible view.

This short video shows amazing footage of SF by a company called Teton Gravity Research. It covers the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz to the Bay Lights (on the Bay Bridge) at night. It is shot in 4K/”Ultra” HD. This is their first footage from their new RED Epic-equipped gyrostabilized camera platform: The GSS C520. Watch it full screen for optimal enjoyment.

Just the sound of the theme aerate the heartfelt emotions we Dubs have for our team.

Yesterday, we were dream chasers to be noticed. Today, we are playoff team….with a zealous, dedicated basketball site with Adam & Chris L at the helm & fervent Dubs fans with considerable high IQ, offering much insightful comments, how great is that?

Have a great day!

Zume

@Dubcakes #68 wow! That is an amazing video and the music grabs you. Thank you.

meir34

Purdy today writes that Myers is still looking for that superstar who can be the face of the franchise. Lee and Curry and, when right, Bogut are all stars but not Superstars.

Contrary to some opinions here, Melo has a legion of fans and observers who consider him a superstar. He’s likely to lose to LBJ, but is definitely in the running for MVP this year. If he gets it, or after being named all-pro again, there will still be denials here. Okay, that’s now NY fans’ issue.

Yes, Adam, Lee has elevated his game. Many of us said that with a center improving on Beans, Lee’s game would improve. He really isn’t a center and was forced to play that too much in past years. Bogut, obviously is one, and, in this respect, one figures there are good reasons Ezeli, with his strengths and limitations is playing before Beans.

Landry has been a big help, but his contributions can be made by a lot of other NBA types likely available. So while I’d like to see us keep him, I think he may be overestimating the value of his skill set. JJ really provided the glue from the bench and gave MJ the flexibility to utilize all sorts of three guard line-ups when matchups favored that.

Curry is, and probably always has been, a great shooter. At position he’s, at best, a combo-guard. Charles Barkley said he’s no PG and never will be, Steinmetz says he has to be kept on the floor shooting but isn’t a PG. I’m hardly the only one with that exact same view, damnable though I am for daring to say what I think. Know I’m not alone in this view. But he’s a great shooter and some of his PG skills have shown improvement. His health is obviously a concern as it is with Bogut. The latter has really nice center skills, especially for changing shots, which I wish there was a data source on, and keeping guys off balance as Adam noted, he showed to perfection with Perkovic last night.

Anything can happen in a playoffs. Anyone old enough to remember it first hand, recalls how much of an underdog we were in the 74-75 playoffs.

If we go far, one of our stars or budding stars likely will rise to a different level and require reevaluating. I hope it happens. It actually is a fine stage for either or both of the two Bs to rise up: Bogut or Barnes, and both have taken a back seat behind Lee and Curry and even Klay. If one of the former two rises up it would be great. Klay could. I see potential greatness from him, but figured that for down the road a piece.

The only team I really can’t see us having a chance with is OKC. But I could be wrong there too. Nevertheless, I hope we keep 6th and play Memphis or even Denver. Though any but OKC seam beatable if all the chips lay on the right colors.

A real hats off to the owners and the great management team he’s put together. Top down.

meir34

Great video Dubcakes, thanks. After decades and decades in the Bay Area I retired to Ashland, where it’s also beautiful. Loved this video you gave the link to.

PhilB

…and now a big fat middle finger to the Sports Illustrated “Secret Scout” who ripped the Warriors in the preseason prognostications.

Your bugaboo, the TurnOver:
Carmelo career: 3.0 TOs per game
Curry career: 3.0 TOs per game

Still feel a need to harp on Curry TOs but not Carmelo’s?

Not to mention that Curry has almost twice as many Assists/per game. And more steals per game.

On what basis would anyone (but you) prefer Carmelo to Curry? Certainly not on any rational basis.

Because the media have anointed Melo a superstar? And you believe them! Sir Charles and Steinmetz can’t possibly be wrong?!

BTW, in 3 years Harrison Barnes might be better than Carmelo.

Ron

Congrats to the whole Warrior organization. Next nice things would be to beat out Houston and knock LA out of the playoffs.

El Topo

Meir,

What health concerns re Curry are you talking about? This season, he’s played in 74 games so far. In 4 years in NBA, only last year (one year) did he play less than 74 games. And that was a short season anyway, and Dubs were tanking too…

Carmelo has only played 64 games this year. I suggest you worry about his well-being, not Curry’s.

El Topo

PhilB,

Thanks for that report. Hope dubs never hire such a stupid scout…no wonder he wants to be anonymous. Anyway, glad some team has this fool working for them (they actually PAY these guys?).

Yeah..Sports Illustrated…had us at #11 (assuming healthy Bogut) and Houston at #14 (last in the West). Both teams now in playoffs.

Aaaaah…those experts…””An expert is someone who knows a lot about the past.” (Tom Hopkins).

El Topo

Meir,

Except for the Curry section, your post @70 made many good points.

You need to get over it…Curry is really better than Monta or Carmelo or Rubio or AC Law. Ask any GM, just don’t ask Steinmetz.

“Even when the experts all agree, they may well be mistaken.”
(Bertrand Russell)

Dave in LA

Just stubhubbed two tix to the Lakers game on Friday night. Sheesh they think highly of themselves (lower level tix START at $250)) but on the chance that we don’t get the Clips in the playoffs this may be my last chance this year in LA. Going to be sporting my W’s colors and pulling for the W’s to BOUNCE the lakers from the post season! My chance to cheer in person for my playoff bound Golden State Warriors!!!!

ET: meir might now be better physically — which is great — but mental status is still the same.

One surmises he doesn’t watch the games, because he has no concept of Curry’s growth and development this year; none at all — he’s livin’ in oblivion there, still refusing to see the beauty unfolding before his very eyes. Otherwise, of course, he’d realize he’s just pounding sand here with his same ol’, same ol’ “Curry’s a nice shooter, but . . . .”

And the Melo silliness is just laughable. Good point, ET, re Melo’s physical weaknesses/games out this year. Would anyone in their right mind trade Curry now for that inefficient, volume-shooting, me-first, me-always guy?

Put another way, how many in NYC wouldn’t be thrilled to see the Knicks dump Melo for Curry, especially after Curry’s performance there earlier this year — which, of course, meir either missed, didn’t get, or is in complete denial regarding what SI calls the best individual performance in the league this season.

The more things change (e.g. re Curry) the more they stay the same (e.g. re meir).

Still, the guy’s feet of clay approach is always good for a chuckle. So, just smile — and enjoy!

I don’t buy the notion that the Thunder and Spurs want to avoid facing the Lakers. They are exactly what their record suggests – a fringe playoff team. Their stars show fitful synergy, Howard remains below his former stellar standards as a defender, and they have no depth. In some ways I want them to make the playoffs so that the hero narrative around their stars finally lifting the team to contender heights is put to sleep. The Thunder show no signs of letting up (Westbrook and Durant are fierce competitors and their playing time is not being reduced) and the Dubs face a tough match up with them. The Spurs generally ease up with the playoffs in sight and they’ll likely be without two of their stars when the Dubs meet them – remember how the tanking Dubs almost beat them to end the season?

meir, the Dubs have just secured the playoffs and you’re still banging on about Melo? He has no relevance to our team.

El Topo

Sartre,

Agree. No team now fears the Lakers. Heck, they had a must-win game last night vs. Hornets (a 27-51 team) and after 3Qs the score was tied.

They lucked out in Q4…the Mamba got hot…hope they keep depending on that!

sartre

ET, I suspect Adams’ draft stock will rise after the combine measurements – a reminder for teams of just how big, strong, quick for a center, and athletic he is. Raw as hell (in part because like Ezeli he started playing the game relatively late) but a great work ethic and no ego.

Pbob20

Very Nice Adam.

For those who have enjoyed Adams blog for a long time…

“NOT” In the words of CC:

PLAYOFFS!!!!!
PLAYOFFS!!!!!
PLAYOFFS!!!!!

Coltraning

@el Topo
No fair! You know Betrand Russell quotes are like catnip. I was such a twisted youth that I read marriage and morals as well as why I am not a Christian before I turned 18…hmmm, that explains a lot, come to think of it 😉

sartre

col, have you checked out Logicomix? Terrific graphic novel that features Russell and the foundational quest in maths:

Talent is talent, and there is always the chance LA will gel. They are 10 games or so over .500 since their low point. (We, btw, are 50% since our 22-10 start, although 10-4 in our last bit). I stand by what I said. I think OKC and SA are certain they can spank Houston or Utah in a 7 game series. I also think they would prefer Houston to our merry band of now cleanly-shaved Jacksonians.

knick

Thanks Adam,
You hit the nail right on the head. How fitting, that on the nite my knicks clinch the division title, my favorite team out west should also clinch a playoff berth. Yay me!

This team has come pretty far. I still remember when the ball hog Ellis was jettisoned.And who could forget that infamous booing. Wonder where those idiotic boo boys are now. The uncertainties surrounding those pairs of ankles, tanking, being the butt of jokes around the , league. How amazing, that such a wonderful result should arise from all that chaos.
Congrats and thank you Adam and Chris L. for keeping our interest during the bad times and certainly during these good times.

Kudos to the players, for setting a goal and achieving it despite all their flaws. Come to think of it I wouldn’t have it any other way. The elite teams were boringly predictable. You never knew what to expect from these warriors. We lost badly to bad
teams and won handily against some good ones.

Finally congratulations to Brooklyn/Queens finest, Mark ‘action’ Jackson. Many including me doubted his ability to coach. We laughed at his bold comments. Called him crazy when he promised to make the warriors relevant, brushed him off when he promised to take us to the playoffs, wins were credited to Malone’s X’s and O’s while losses were due to his rote-ations. Credit to him for sticking to his principles and staying true to the process, whatever that maybe.
This is by no means the greatest achievement ever, but we shall enjoy it all the same. Go Dubs.

knick

Dubcakes
Thanks for the video. Very beautiful. Too bad I can’t show it to the wife. She still hasn’t forgiven me for vetoing our honeymoon to San Francisco after all these years.

JanG

Interesting how some of the discussion today is about which teams the W’s would prefer to play. I would think that no team wants to play the W’s. My reasoning is simple – the W’s have nothing to lose. Everyone knows that getting into the playoffs was the big hurdle this year. Anything else is gravy.

With Bogut back, Curry and Klay playing well, Lee guaranteed to put up double-doubles every game, JJack liable to go off any time, Barnes playing his best ball of the season, AB on the bench, and the most unhospitable crowd in the NBA (and of course an unpredictable playoff history), I would think this is one scary bunch. OKC and the Spurs have an enormous amount of pressure on them. OKC would consider this season a failure if they didn’t make the championship round, and the Spurs are really this time perilously close to moving backwards in relevancy. It’s our time!

“To me, (the trade) was vindicated from Day 1. The trade was a fantastic trade. We had to get bigger. We had to get tougher. We had to get stronger. We had to do all those things. There’s still things we need to do, but yeah, we’re a better team because of that trade.”

Experts!
Richard Feynman: “Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts”

bryhsiao

Meir,

actually quite reasonable a post @70 even though I do not agree some of it.

Knicks had been very vulnerable this year with age and injury and if they are not in the East, they probably wont win that many games and will be fighting for the bottom playoff spots in the West.

Bucks 37-40 at 8th, and Philly 31-46 at 9th. Really??!!

Melo did play better this year but i see the big difference was having capable PGs in Felton&Kidd and the consistent Chandler on D.

However, I doubt Bob Meyer would want to have Melo here instead of Curry. Ball doesnt stop with our team and I think that’s part of the reason why we traded Monta.
also lets look at the salary
Melo $19,450,000 $21,490,000 $23,530,000
Curry $3,958,742 $9,887,642 $10,629,213 $11,370,786 $12,112,359

hum… this year 20M vs 4M. next 2 years 22M vs 10M.
at that price tag,
with Melo, you get 6ppg more on same FG%, 7% lower 3s, 6% lower FT, 2.6more rebs, half the steals, 5.3 LESS assists ( based on this season stats, Melo’s 3s% and FT% is way worse in career average)

Seriously just because he takes all the shots on 1on1 iso in the end of the game, that we need him other than Curry?

Also I doubt we would be able to trade Monta when we have Melo’s 20M per year. Therefore we literally will have Monta+Melo+Lee+Beans and Dleaguers.

Wow that’s a scary thought.

btw you asked me to comment on a Good PG’s attribute and how other additions attribute more to this year’s success.
I replied in the last thread on how Monta’s excessive usage rate affects Curry and Jennings.

ET.
Good to see Bogut upped his rebounding against the non jumping Pekovich. Now if he can keep it up and score a few more points we will be in business.

Meir:
I’ll remind you what Lebron said to Barkley…..”he’s stupid”

believewhat

Dave in LA,

Man, you be our good luck charm to the game. No need to hide, dubs ARE the better team than Lakers. Lakers will be playing for life and Warriors would be there as just another game. Reverse of fortune.

El Topo

JanG,

“We have… the best ex-owner in the league.” — LMAO.

Very funny and pointed. POD.

NCDub

#66-zume:

I’ve assumed it all along; A championship soon per Lacob; That’s why I’m not overjoyed by the pIayoffs this year…but it IS a step toward the ultimate ring, which I think will happen in 3-5 years;

Lacob didn’t come here to jerk off–neither did the Logo; He wants this to be Celtics West (no pun), & I for one think it WILL be…soon;

So please do not interpret me as being unappreciative of this overachieving but not yet there bunchof guys; I like what they’ve done a lot but expect much, much more;

Now…let’s win in round #1…Go Dubs!

believewhat

col,

” I stand by what I said. I think OKC and SA are certain they can spank Houston or Utah in a 7 game series.”

May be SA, but there is a proof that OKC didn’t care about facing Lakers. If they wanted, they could have put Lakers out of playoffs by losing to Jazz.